Anu facts for kids

In Sumerian mythology, Anu (also An) was a sky-god. He was the god of heaven, lord of constellations, and king of the gods, spirits and demons. He lived in the highest heavenly regions. People believed that he could judge people who had committed crimes. His attendant and minister of state was the god Ilabrat.

He was one of the oldest gods in the Sumerian religion. He was a part of a triad with Enlil (god of the air) and Enki (god of water). He was called Anu by the Akkadians in Babylonian culture. His Greek name is Uranos. The planet Uranus got its name from the Greek god Uranos.

Images for kids

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  A foundation figurine of king Lugal-kisalsi. The inscription mentions Nammu and Anu as wife and husband.

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  Part of the front of a Babylonian temple to Ishtar in Uruk, built c. 1415 BCE, during the Kassite Period (c. 1600—1155 BCE). It has been argued in the past that it was first dedicated to Anu, and only later to Inanna, but this view is no longer regarded as plausible.

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  The original Sumerian clay tablet of Inanna and Ebih, which is currently housed in the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago

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  Ancient Mesopotamian terracotta relief showing Gilgamesh slaying the Bull of Heaven, which Anu gives to his daughter Ishtar in Tablet IV of the Epic of Gilgamesh after Gilgamesh spurns her amorous advances.

See also

In Spanish: Anu para niños